Flights to Bangkok

There are lots of reasons why Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world, and they all guarantee an unforgettable trip. Thailand’s capital city has been welcoming people to its shores for decades – from backpackers to luxury travellers – drawn by the amazing Thai cuisine, fascinating culture and famous party scene.

Flights to Bangkok land in Suvarnabhumi Airport (also known as Bangkok International Airport). If you’re visiting for the first time, you should know that Bangkok is a city of extremes, in the best possible way.

When it comes to a place to stay, be sure to choose a location that suits your style of lodging. Certain areas are livelier than others, so if tranquillity is your thing, try one of the beautiful villas on the outskirts of the city. Thai hospitality is renowned across the world – indeed, hospitality brands out of Thailand have blossomed on the international lodging scene. So to get an incredible hotel boasting first-rate service is not difficult.

Once you’ve settled in, the fun begins. You can spend your morning visiting the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha, and by the evening be living it up on the Khao San Road. This busy street, made famous in Alex Garland’s novel The Beach, is a magnet for backpackers – so its bookshops, boutiques and restaurants cater to those on shoestring budgets.

Some of the best things to do in Bangkok are often based on joining in with the locals. Whether it’s cheering on a Muay Thai boxer, shopping in one of the numerous markets or hanging out in the lively entertainment districts, the best thing you can do is to get involved and experience it.

And all of that’s without touching the surface of one of the biggest Thailand attractions of all: the Bangkok dining scene. There are loads of options, whether you prefer fine dining restaurants or would rather grab a snack from a street food hawker. Get started on Sukhumvit Soi 38, a street near Thong Lo Station that’s famous for its food stalls.

You could always pick up some fresh produce at the famous Bangkok traditional floating markets. There are lots of other great shopping options too, including Central Embassy and Silom Complex (which is located on the buzzing Silom Road, a popular spot for a night out).

As the sun goes down, the city seems to put on its own neon light show, and takes on an amazing energy as locals and visitors hustle and bustle to get to their favourite restaurants and nightlife venues. It’s clear that Bangkok is bursting with lots to see and do, at all hours of the day and night.

What to do in Bangkok

What to do in Bangkok

Where to eat in Bangkok

Where to eat in Bangkok

Places to stay in Bangkok

Places to stay in Bangkok

Watch a Muay Thai fight

If you want to see an authentic Muay Thai fight, head to Sanam Muay Rajadamnern, also known as Ratchadamnoen Stadium, one of the best venues in Bangkok. Make sure you buy tickets from an official vendor, then sit in the first tier with other tourists, or head upstairs to mix with the hardcore fans of the sport.

Visit the temples

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is Thailand’s most famous temple, and the best time to see it is at sunrise or sunset. You can get up close by paying a small fee to walk up the central stairs. Another temple worth visiting is Wat Traimit, which houses a solid gold Buddha weighing more than five tonnes.

Take on the Escape Hunt

Based on the massively popular online ‘Escape the Room’ games, the Escape Hunt is a real-life version that’s causing quite a stir in Bangkok. Teams of up to five players have to escape a room by solving clues – tense, family-friendly fun and completely different.

Shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market

A visit to the Chatuchak Weekend Market could mean you’ll have to splash out on extra luggage for the flight home. It’s packed with stalls selling everything from pretty lamps to souvenir T-shirts, with loads of street food to keep you fuelled up. Thais and tourists come here to bag a bargain.

Floating markets

One of the most iconic images of Bangkok is that of locals on their boats at the floating markets. There are a few different ones to choose from: check out Taling Chan, Tha Kha and Bang Ku Wiang markets for starters. If you want to watch rather than shop, book a Damnoen Saduak market boat tour.

Visit Bang Krachao Island

Well worth a trip out of the city centre, Bang Krachao is a place where life hearkens back to a simpler time. Hire a bike or stroll around the buildings while trying some of the fresh produce sold at various stalls and shops. Lush gardens and small temples make this a relaxing antidote to the busyness of central Bangkok. Check out the temple Wat Bang Krachao Klang.

Rossini's (Italian)

Located at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, this Italian has long been a Bangkok fine-dining favourite. The interior makes you feel as though you could be sat in a Tuscan restaurant, but it is the food that steals the show. Leave room for dessert: chocolate foie gras mousse served with foie gras ice cream and fig brule.

This vegan and vegetarian restaurant near Khao San Road is the best place in the city to grab a healthy breakfast of muesli, homemade yoghurt and fresh fruit. It’s really popular with backpackers, who keep coming back for the fresh flavours, generous portions and to hang out with the resident kittens.

19 Tanao Road
Taladyod Phanakorn
10200
+66 82 457 9071

Tealicious (Thai)

East meets West at this restaurant owned by an English and Thai couple, so expect brilliant Thai food and a great cup of tea. There’s something for everyone, from authentic Tom Yum Goong to spaghetti carbonara and Caesar salad, making it popular with visitors and locals.

Soi Charoen Krung 49
Suriya Wong
Bang Rak
10500
+66 2 630 7710

Papa's Kitchen (American)

Have a hunger that only a big, juicy burger will satisfy? Papa’s Kitchen is the place to go. The menu also has ribs and seafood, but be under no illusion, it’s all about the burgers. Try the French Kiss, The Gov'nor, or the duck burger, which comes with camembert, wild berry sauce and rocket.

Asiatique The Riverfront (Night market)

Not so much a specific restaurant as a sprawling night market, this riverside destination has loads of different stalls, shops and eateries where you can sample a variety of local and international cuisine. Check out Ko Dang Talay Thai for some of the best seafood you can find in Bangkok.

Street Food (Ready-to-eat)

Some of the best food in Bangkok isn’t even served in a restaurant. Hit the streets and pick something that (a) looks delicious, (b) smells amazing or (c) is completely unfamiliar. An adventurous palate is part of the Bangkok experience, and it might just be the best food you ever have. You can find it everywhere, but check out the stalls around the busy Victoria Monument for starters.

Victory Monument
Thanon Phaya Thai
Ratchathewi
10400

Tenface Bangkok

It’s the extra touches that make Tenface a hidden gem in Bangkok, especially for first time visitors. When you check in, you get a Tosakan's Heart – a box of treats and useful items including a prepaid BTS Skytrain card, a local SIM card, an iPod nano video, a ‘must-see’ map as well as a Tenface taxi card.

Smile Society

Widely known as one of the best hostels in Thailand, Smile Society is a great base for exploring Bangkok, especially buzzy Chinatown. Plus, unlike some backpacker hostels, it’s quiet enough for you to get some shut-eye. Add the free Wi-Fi and friendly staff, and you’ve got yourself a real gem.

Phranakorn-Nornlen Hotel

This guest house in Bangkok is away from the main tourist hotspots, but still well catered to when it comes to tuk-tuks and water taxis. It’s massively popular, with a loyal fan base that keeps coming back. Highlights are the in-house cookery class, and the rooftop garden where you can soak up the city views.

Metropolitan by COMO

Perfectly located if you want easy access to Bangkok’s legendary nightlife and shopping, this contemporary luxury hotel feels like an oasis in the city. With large airy rooms, an incredible breakfast and a superb spa, the hotel delivers on all fronts. The restaurant Nahm is also well worth visiting when you stay.

Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok

This stylish five-star hotel on the river has its own shuttle across the Chao Phraya River to connect you to Wat Arun (Thailand’s most famous temple) and to the Asiatique The Riverfront open-air mall. Alternatively, you could just hang out by the stunning pool.

Ariyasom Villa

Looking for a quiet stay? You can’t go wrong with Ariyasom Villa, a beautiful 1940s boutique hotel in Bangkok. You can grab a healthy breakfast in their fantastic vegetarian restaurant Na Aroon before hitting the city, or just relax by the pool or in the lovely Som Sen Spa. Just be sure to book well in advance.